Alzheimer's Disease International

"Sue rose to the challenge of developing and implementing Alzheimer Disease International’s UK trust fundraising programme. With Sue’s guidance and hard work, ADI has built up a small but steady stream of UK trust income. It’s a challenge to raise funds for any organisation, but for international projects the fundraising climate is exceptionally tough, but this did not deter Sue. Sue’s determination, thorough knowledge of the UK trust fundraising scene and her excellent research have been a real asset.  Her fundraising applications are well written and targeted. Sue is 100% reliable, manages her work efficiently, provides regular updates on progress and is very responsive. Sue’s integrity and personal commitment to the organisations she is involved with make her a pleasure to work with."

[Elizabeth Rimmer, Executive Director]

The Alzheimer's Society

"I have employed Sue on a number of projects, mainly research and drafting applications. I have found her attention to detail and grasp of complex issues a real asset. Sue's excellent time management and planning skills have meant that even though she lives on the other sde of the world she can always be relied upon to produce high quality work to fixed deadlines."

[Alison Watt, Senior Trusts and Statutory Fundraising Manager]

"When I came into the Alzheimer's Society in 2003 no one had been in post for some months, so no one had done a hand over - there was just Sue Crow in Australia! In fact, working with Sue on a long distance basis was a very positive and friendly experience. Sue had a good knowledge of previous and current funders histories and expectations, and was happy to explain things and would do so clearly. Sue was also in the process of updating the trusts Access database long distance which was also very helpful and her knowledge of Access databases proved invaluable at times. Sue is very easy to work with, precise, and very prompt at replying. The time lag between Australia and the UK is certainly not a barrier and Sue has always been happy to call at a specific time to discuss applications, or for a more general discussion."

[Janet Bull, Trusts and Statutory Fundraising Manager]

The Dartington Hall Trust

"The Dartington Hall Trust first commissioned Sue to undertake work for us at the beginning of 2005, on the recommendation of Target Direct who were acting as our consultants at that time. We needed urgent help with identifying appropriate grant making Trusts & Foundations, and then with making applications for specific projects addressing the maintenance of our mediaeval Great Hall. I must confess that I was more than sceptical when I discovered that Sue was based in Australia … not exactly local to South Devon!! I was concerned that there would be problems with communicating information and delays in achieving our urgent requirements. I need not have feared, however, because, in reality, Sue proved to be more efficient in absorbing, researching and quickly turning around information from the other side of the world than others we have worked with who live in the same county!

Not only was Sue efficient in meeting deadlines, she also has excellent writing skills – producing first class applications, liberally supported with relevant nuggets of research that she had managed to uncover where there appeared to be links between DHT and the grant making Trust/Trustees. We had some substantial early successes from Sue’s applications and are still awaiting further results."

[Brenda Hare, Senior Development Manager]

The UK Cochrane Collaboration

"When Sue agreed to run a trust fundraising workshop at our annual conference we knew very little about her apart from the recommendation we had received from the Alzheimer’s Society. But, we weren’t disappointed! The workshop was over-attended and all attendees gave it great feedback.

As a result of the feedback I received I asked Sue to write a paper on trust fundraising to be distributed to the fifty Cochrane Review Groups. Once again, I was not disappointed. Sue’s paper made fundraising accessible even to the complete beginner and was very well-received by the review groups.

Our only regret was that Sue was not available to run a workshop the following year! "

[Sir Iain Chalmers, Director, 1992-2002]

Fight For Sight

" Following a merger with another eye research charity, the new charity, Fight for Sight, had ambitious targets to increase substantially, income from charitable trusts. Sue came into the organisation half way through the financial year. Trust income was fairly low and relationships with some trusts had been neglected.

Sue managed over 100 small, medium and large trusts for the charity and as direct result the charity exceeded its targets by 20% in the six months. Sue had great confidence and understood the issues facing a medical research charity. She wasted no time in submitting applications and showed a great ability to really hit the ground running. She also advised me on the best approach with some of our key trusts.

If you require support in trust fundraising then your first point of call should be to contact Sue. I guarantee that this will be one of the best decisions you make it certainly was for Fight for Sight!"

[Annu Mayor, Director of Fundraising]